Barefoot Footprint01 User manual
Owner’s Manual
Contents page
1.0 Description 01
2.0 Warnings! (please read carefully) 02
3.0 Inputs and Controls 03
4.0 Startup 04
5.0 Protection 04
6.0 Signal Flow Diagram 05
7.0 Positioning 06
7.1 Widening the Stereo Field 07
7.2 Cooling 08
8.0 Maintenance 08
9.0 MEME™ 09
9.1 MEME Voices 09
9.2 MEME™ Voicing Frequency Responses 10
9.3 MEME™ Voice Selector Connection 10
10.0 Dual-Force™ Technology 11
11.0 Frequency Response 12
11.1 Polar Frequency Response 13
12.0 Specifications 14
13.0 Drawings 15
14.0 Limited Warranty 16
14.1 Warranty Conditions 16
14.2 Obtaining Warranty Service 16
14.3 Post Warranty Repair 17
14.4 Warranty Exclusions 17
15.0 Product Registration 17
1
1.0 Descripon
The Footprint01 is a 3-way acve system with 4 drive units housed in sealed enclosures spanning 36Hz to 45kHz
with low distoron, wide dynamic range and ultra-fast transient response. The ring radiator tweeter is
exceponally detailed and produces very wide dispersion beyond the highest audible frequencies. The 4”
midrange is housed in a sealed enclosure for fast transient response. Its ultra-s and lightweight aluminum
cone moves as a perfect piston well beyond its intended frequency range. The 8″ side ring woofers are
housed in a sealed enclosure for fast transient response and feature Barefoot’s renowned Dual-Force™
vibraon cancelaon technology. The net result is incredible transparency and detail across the enre audio
spectrum.
Barefoot’s innovave Mul Emphasis Monitor Emulaon™ technology, or MEME™ (“meam”) for
short, enables the Footprint01 to emulate the frequency, phase and transient responses, dynamic
compression and overall translaon characteriscs of other classic studio monitors.
2.0
The Mains power voltage must never exceed 250 VAC. Connecng the power cord to AC power line
voltages over 250 VAC will damage the amplier and may cause the risk of re. Such damage is NOT
covered under warranty.
Rear panel Mains power input layout.
2
Please read and follow the safety informaon below:
• Do not remove the rear amplier panel. There is a risk of electric shock. No user serviceable parts
are inside. Please refer service issues to a qualied technician.
• Do not operate this device with an ungrounded mains power cable or a mains connecon that is
ungrounded. This may result in personal injury.
• Do not place open ames such as lighted candles on or near this device .
• Do not expose this device to water, rain or high humidity. Do not place objects lled with liquids,
such as vases, on or near this device.
• This speaker requires adequate airow to maintain proper cooling. Do not obstruct airow
around the speaker.
• Do not operate this device in ambient temperatures above 30°C (85°F). Over-temperature may
cause device failure.
Cauon! This speaker is capable of producing sound pressure levels in excess of 85dB which may
cause permanent hearing damage. Always verify that input signal levels are aenuated before
powering on the speaker.
3
3.0 Inputs and Controls
1. [INPUT] XLR connector is designed to receive analog balanced line level audio signals from sources
such as preampliers, sound cards, monitor controllers and mixing consoles. Pin 1 is ed to
chassis ground. Pins 2 & 3 are fully oang dierenal inputs. Pin 3 must be referenced to
ground for single ended input signals. The analog signal is converted to 24bit/192kHz digital audio
via a precision, ultra-high-delity analog to digital converter secon inside the Footprint01.
2. [LEVEL] Eight posion rotary switch adjusts the loudness in precise increments ( +3dB, 0, -1, -2, -3,
-5, -7 and -9dB. ) The 0dB seng corresponds to a sensivity of 90dB at 1 meter distance using a
-15dBv input signal.
3. [MEME IN] 3.5mm stereo phone jack for connecon from MEME™ Selector Switch. See Secon 9
for MEME™ sengs and connecon details. The default seng with no switch connected is Flat.
4. [MEME THRU] 3.5mm stereo phone jack for daisy chain connecon to MEME IN of another
Barefoot monitor. See Secon 9 for MEME™ sengs and connecon details.
5. [USB] The universal serial bus connector is for factory adjustments and calibraons. This
connector is NOT an audio input.
4
4.0 Startup
1. Plug in the grounded mains power cable (see warnings on previous page for details) .
2. Plug in an analog balanced audio signals from a source such as a preamplier, sound card, monitor
controller or mixing console to INPUT XLR connector. Ensure that the audio signal is fully aenuated.
3. Power on the speaker with the rocker switch located on the rear panel above the mains connector. The
LED indicator on the front of the speaker will illuminate Red for a couple of seconds and then turn Aqua.
4. Turn up the audio signal and enjoy!
5.0 Protecon
Limiters
Peak Limiter
The Low and High frequency channels have individual Peak Limiters designed to protect each driver
from high amplitude, short duraon audio input signal spikes that might cause damage due to over
excursion of the voice coil. These limiters are implemented digitally within the DSP in such a manner
that they have zero eect on the audio signal below their thresholds. The front LED indicator light will
ash RED when a Peak Limiter on any of the driver channels is triggered. The duraon of such events
is only a fracon of a second. Therefore, the LED ash may appear pink or orange as the eye naturally
blends the normally aqua-blue color of the LED with the red.
RMS Limiter
The Low and High frequency channels have individual RMS Limiters designed to protect each driver
from long duraon, high amplitude audio input signals that might cause thermal damage due to the
voice coil. These limiters are implemented digitally within the DSP in such a manner that they have
zero eect on the audio signal below their thresholds. The front LED indicator light will ash RED
when a RMS Limiter on any of the driver channels is triggered.
Cauon: Signals large enough to trigger any of the limiters can generate very high sound pressure lev-
els that may result in permanent hearing damage.
Over Current
In the event of a large audio input signal that might damage the ampliers or power supply due to cur-
rent overload, the power supply is designed to enter into Over Current protect mode. This state typi-
cally results from a large, broadband input signal burst that at lines the limiters on all four channels
simultaneously. While the fault persists the amplier power rails shut down, the speaker goes quiet,
and the front panel LED turns red. Once the audio input signal is turned down the speaker should
reboot within a few seconds. If the speaker fails to reboot or the LED light goes out completely, dis-
connect the audio input cable and power cycle the speaker. Verify the signal level is aenuated be-
fore reconnecng audio input cable.
Cauon: Signals that cause Over Current protecon to trigger can generate very high sound pressure
levels that may result in permanent hearing damage.
5
Tweeter
Midrange
Woofers
Ampliers
DACs
24bit/192k
Hz
Limiters
Crossover
and
MEME™
Input
Level
ADC
24bit/192kHz
INPUT
LEVEL
MEME
IN
Clip LED
6.0 Signal Flow Diagram
MEME™ Voice Selector Switch
MEME
THRU
MEME
IN
Passive
Crossover
6
7.0 Posioning
The acousc center of the Footprint01 is located at the LED indicator just above the tweeter. The Footprint01
is designed to work equally well as a neareld or mid-eld monitor. The minimum recommended listening
distance is 3 .0 feet (91 cm). This provides enough distance so the sound waves from the individual drivers can
coalesce and the speaker sounds like a single source. While speaker posioning can oen be dependent on the
nature of the room, a good starng point is to create an equilateral triangle between the two speakers and the
listening posion. The speakers should be angled inward so the tweeter axes aim towards the listener’s ears,
crossing a few inches behind the head.
A “typical” placement scenario might have the speakers posioned 1.5 feet (46 cm) from the front wall, the
LEDs at ear level and the speakers and listening posion forming an equilateral triangle with 4.0 feet (120 cm)
sides. However, every room has its unique characteriscs. Therefore, the opmal listening distances, speaker
height and distances from walls are maers for experimentaon. The Footprint01 is well equipped to work at
a variety of listening distances.
Example: Preferred stereo arrangement.
7
7.1 Widening the Stereo Field
We generally recommend angling the speaker axes in towards the listening posion to create an
equilateral triangle as described above. This yields the most accurate high frequency response and the
sharpest stereo image at the center listening posion. In some cases, however, the listener might
change posions frequently. Or there might be mulple listeners. In such situaons it may be
desirable to have a wider and less focused stereo eld which provides beer coverage over a range of
listening posions. This can be achieved by aiming the speaker axes more forward such that the axes
cross further behind the center listening posion. The gure below illustrates the general principle
and is not meant to be an exact measure of speaker angles or opmal listening posions.
Since the Footprint01 has such wide o-axis dispersion, the horizonal angle relave to the listener can
be changed by up to 10 degrees with less than 1 dB variance in the frequency response across the
audible spectrum. Angling the speakers forward in this manner will somewhat defocus the center
stereo image while providing generally beer imaging over a range of listening posions. For some
users this may be an acceptable compromise.
8
7.2 Cooling
While the amplier modules that drive the Footprint01 are very ecient, the speaker sll generates a
signicant amount of heat that must be dissipated. This heat is transmied to the air via convecon from the
rear amplier plate. In order to ensure proper airow, a minimum of 2.0 inches (51 mm) clearance should be
maintained between the speaker and any large obstrucons like walls. An ambient room temperature below
30°C (85°F) should be maintained. Over-temperature may cause speaker to overheat and shut down.
8.0 Maintenance
Exterior surfaces of this product may be cleaned using a non-abrasive lint-free cloth lightly damped
with water. Disconnect the mains power cable when cleaning to avoid risk of electric shock. Do not use
alcohol-based cleaners.
Driver acve surfaces such as diaphragms and surrounds may be cleaned using dry so bristle brushes.
Driver diaphragms are very delicate and easily damaged. So, proceed with great care. Clean new
sable arst brushes or cosmec brushes work well for this task. Gently brush dust away from the
surface starng at the center of the driver diaphragm and moving radially outward. Avoid applying
inward pressure to the driver diaphragm.
Repairs, maintenance, or other servicing of this product when its interior compartment is exposed
should only be performed under specic advice from Barefoot Sound by a qualied technician or by
the Barefoot Service Center. There are no user-serviceable parts inside this product.
8.1 Technical Support and Service
Your Barefoot authorized dealer/distributor is usually the best resource for technical support regarding your specic ap-
plicaon. You can also contact Barefoot Sound directly:
1-503-894-8602 ( Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 4:30 pm PST )
To obtain repair service please refer to Secon 14.2 in this manual.
9.0 MEME™ (Mul Emphasis Monitor Emulaon)
Barefoot MEME (pronounced “meam” like “team”) technology allows you to box up your secondary reference
monitors for good. Despite the numerous advantages of high-resoluon monitors like the Footprint01, many
engineers sll rely on their NS10s and mix cubes as secondary references. These speakers have long tradions
and people nd them familiar and useful for focusing in on certain aspects of their mix. However, it's also a
fact that crowding your console with those extra boxes degrades the sound eld of the primary reference
monitors. Not to menon, these speakers are no longer manufactured, need ampliers, require cable runs,
and consume more studio space. MEME oers an elegant soluon by emulang the sound and translaon
characteriscs of those other classic monitors.
Flat Opmal seng for accuracy, transparency and outstanding translaon. Seng has a at
frequency response and extremely fast transient response. This is the default voice when
the MEME Selector Switch is not connected to the speaker.
-
Hi-FiWhile it does not emulate any one speaker in parcular, this seng is indicave of “hi-” in
the colloquial sense of the term. The midrange is a bit scooped and highs are a lile
accentuated. The bass response is altered to have less damping, yielding a hybrid character
somewhere between the fast, ght, arculate sound of a sealed cabinet and the slower,
faer sound of a ported speaker. The result is a sweeter more forgiving sonic character.
-
OldScl This seng emulates the frequency, phase and transient response of the NS10M.
-
Cube This seng emulates the frequency, phase and transient response of classic mix cubes.
-
9.1 MEME Voices:
9
The MEME™ Voice Selector switch box is
connected to the MEME IN jack of the
speaker via any standard 3.5 mm stereo
phone cable. The switchbox is passive and
requires no baeries. Two or more
speakers can be connected to the switch
box by daisy chaining cables from the MEME
OUT of one speaker to the MEME IN of the
next speaker. The Footprint01 MEME IN
and MEME OUT jacks are opto-isolated to
prevent ground loops between devices.
Barefoot MicroMain Gen2 series
monitors with MEME™ can also be
connected to the MEME OUT of the
Footprint01.
10
Example: 5 channel MEME™ Voice control layout.
9.2 MEME™ Voicing Frequency Responses:
dB SPL at 1 meter, -15 dBV input (Input level aenuator = 0db)
9.3 MEME™ Voice Selector Connecon:
11
Cabinet vibraons are a signicant source of distoron and coloraon in most loudspeakers. The primary
mechanism that generates cabinet vibraons is simple Newtonian acon and reacon. As the driver motor
(magnet and voice coil) forces the cone to move back and forth in order to generate sound, the cone exerts an
equal and opposite force on the motor. This force is transmied through the driver frame to the cabinet,
vibrang the cabinet walls and coloring the sound emied by the cone. This eect is most especially prevalent in
the low frequency drivers where the cone moon is greatest.
While, the Footprint01 is built with a massive and well braced cabinet, we also tackle the problem at its source by
eliminang vibraons before they even begin. This is achieved through our innovave force cancellaon design.
The low frequency drivers are mounted on opposing sides of the cabinet and their motors are locked together.
As the cones are driven in and out in opposite direcons the forces exerted on the motors cancel one another.
The vibraons never make it to the cabinet because they are not allowed to develop in the rst place.
This layout has further benets. Since the drivers are locked together, the motors and frames funcon as a
massive internal metal cabinet bracing. And because the wavelengths generated by the woofers are much larger
than the speaker cabinet dimensions, the drivers radiate as if they were a single point source.
10.0 Dual-Force™ Technology
11.0 Frequency Response (Horizontal plane)
dB SPL at 1 meter, free eld, -15 dBV input (Input aenuator seng = 0db)
12
11.1 Polar Frequency Response
dB SPL at 1 meter, free eld, -15 dBV input (Input aenuator seng = 0db)
13
Analog Input XLR female, Pin 1 ground, Pin 2 posive, Pin 3 negave
Input Impedance = 50k Ohms
Input Sensivity (1m) = 90 dB @ -15 dBV (pass band)
Analog to Digital
Conversion
Word Length: 24 bit
Sample Rate: 192 kHz
Oversampling = 128x
Signal/Noise ≥ 125 dB
Frequency Response 36 Hz - 45 kHz (+/- 3 dB ), 45 Hz - 40 kHz (+/- 1 dB )
Bass Response -3 dB @ 36 Hz
Q = 0.707
Slope = 12 dB/octave
Cabinet 19 liters total internal volume
Sealed subwoofer and midbass enclosures
Machined aluminum bae plate
Subwoofer frames funcon as lateral cabinet bracing
Long ber wool acousc damping throughout
Crossover Frequencies 250 / 3600 Hz
Tweeter 1" ring radiator, Low distoron motor
Rear waveguide chamber
Amplier: 150W
Midrange 4.0" aluminum cone, Aluminum phase plug, Low distoron motor
+/- 3.5 mm linear excursion
Amplier: 150W
Woofers 2 x 8" paper cone with low distoron motor
+/- 9.5 mm linear excursion
Amplier: 500W
Power Mains Voltage Input: 85 VAC to 265 VAC universal
Idle Power Consumpon = 2W
Maximum Power Consumpon = 765 W
Weight Speaker: 35 lbs each (16 kg)
Shipping: 44.5 lbs each (20.2 kg)
Dimensions HxWxD Cabinet: 14.0 x 9.5 x 13.0 inches (356 x 241 x 330 mm)
Overall: 14.0 x 10.4 x 13.4 inches (356 x 263 x 341 mm)
12.0 Specicaons
14
15
13.0 Dimensions inches [mm]
16
14.0 Limited Warranty
BAREFOOT SOUND warrants electronic components and cabinetry for a period of three (3) years against manufacturing
defects, covering parts and labor for necessary repairs. Moving speaker components such as tweeters, midranges
and woofers are warranted for a period of one (1) year against manufacturing defects.
Shipping fees incurred from returns for under-warranty service in the rst 30-days will be paid by BAREFOOT SOUND. All
shipping fees both to and from BAREFOOT SOUND following this 30-day period must be paid by the customer. All returns,
both during and following the 30-day period, must be aected via the Procedures for Obtaining Warranty Service
described below.
BAREFOOT SOUND makes no other warranty, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranes of
merchantability, tness for a parcular purpose, or conformity to any representaon or descripon, with respect to this
product other than as set forth below. BAREFOOT SOUND makes no warranty or representaon, either express or implied,
with respect to any other manufacturer’s product or documentaon, its quality, performance, merchantability, tness for
a parcular purpose, or conformity to any representaon or descripon.
Except as provided below, BAREFOOT SOUND is not liable for any loss, cost, expense, inconvenience or damage that may
result from use or inability to use the product. Under no circumstances shall BAREFOOT SOUND be liable for any loss, cost,
expense, inconvenience or damage exceeding the purchase price of the product.
The warranty and remedies set forth below are exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or wrien, expressed or implied. No
reseller, agent or employee is authorized to make any modicaon, extension or addion to this warranty.
14.1 Warranty Condions
The above Limited Warranty is subject to the following condions:
This warranty covers only normal use of the product. BAREFOOT SOUND shall not be liable under this warranty if any
damage or defect results from (i) misuse, abuse, neglect, improper shipping or installaon; (ii) disasters such as re, ood,
lightning or improper electric current; or (iii) repairs, service or alteraon by anyone other than an authorized BAREFOOT
SOUND representave; (iv) damages incurred through incorrect connecon or handling, abnormal condions, high
humidity, deliberate abuse, power surges, water spills, or any other accidents.
You must retain your bill of sale or other proof of purchase to receive warranty service.
No warranty extension will be granted for any replacement part(s) furnished to the purchaser in fulllment of this
warranty.
To return a defecve product, please contact our Customer Service Department at [email protected] for a
Return Merchandise Authorizaon (RMA) number and follow the Return of Products Instrucons below. The RMA is valid
for 10 days from date of issuance. Returns will not be accepted without an RMA.
14.2 Procedures for Obtaining Warranty Service
RMA (Returning Merchandise Authorizaon) Policy:
If repairs are required, the customer must obtain a RMA number and provide proof of purchase. RMA and services are
rendered by BAREFOOT SOUND only. Any shipping costs aer 30 days (starng from the original date of purchase) on any
item returned for repair is the customers’ responsibility. All returned parts must have a RMA number wrien clearly on
the outside of the package along with a leer detailing the problems and a copy of the original proof of purchase. No COD
packages will be accepted. No package will be accepted without a RMA number wrien on the outside of the package.
15.0 Product Registraon
Please register your Barefoot products at this web address:
hp://barefootsound.com/product-registraon/
Should you have any problems with your product, please follow these procedures to obtain the service:
1. If the product must be repaired, a RMA number (Return Merchandise Authorizaon Number) will be issued for
shipment to our repair department. Please follow the instrucons given by BAREFOOT SOUND technical support sta to
ship your product. BAREFOOT SOUND will not accept any shipments without a RMA number.
2. Pack the product in its original box or a well-protected box, as outlined by BAREFOOT SOUND Customer Service.
BAREFOOT SOUND will not be responsible for shipping damage/loss of any product not shipped in its original packaging.
BAREFOOT SOUND will not be responsible for shipping damage/loss of any product outside the original 30-day paid
service period. It is very important that you write the RMA number clearly on the outside of the package. Ship the product
with a copy of your bill of sale or other proof of purchase, your name, address, phone number, email address, descripon
of the problem(s), and the RMA number you have obtained to the address provided to you by BAREFOOT SOUND
Customer Service.
3. Upon receiving the product, BAREFOOT SOUND will repair or replace your product (at BAREFOOT SOUND’s discreon)
and will ship it back to you within 2 weeks (dependent on parts availability) via FedEx.
4. Cross-exchange (Parts only): You will need to provide a valid credit card number as a deposit guarantee when the RMA
number is issued. Once approval has been obtained on your credit card, the part(s) will be shipped FedEx. You will need to
ship defecve part(s) back to BAREFOOT SOUND within 15 days to avoid charges to your credit card. If such charges are
incurred, the shipped part(s) will be billed at the then current price.
5. BAREFOOT SOUND will pay for shipping to and from the customer only within the rst thirty days following the original
product ship date. Following this 30-day period all shipping fees both for under warranty and post warranty repairs are
the sole responsibility of the customer. The customer also assumes full liability for losses or damages resulng from
shipping as well as all responsibility to pursue remuneraon for such issues with their selected carrier.
14.3 Post Warranty Repair
For post warranty repair, the procedures are the same as outlined above for RMA and shipping. However, you are
responsible for shipping charges both ways, current labor rates, and the current price of part(s) used in repair.
14.4 WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS
BAREFOOT SOUND accepts no liability for problems caused by aer-market soware or hardware modicaons or
addions. BAREFOOT SOUND is not responsible for any loss of work (“down me”) caused by a product requiring service.
This warranty is null and void if the defect or malfuncon was due to damage resulng from operaon not within
manufacturer specicaons. It will also be null and void if there are indicaons of misuse and/or abuse. BAREFOOT
SOUND has the opon of voiding the warranty if anyone other than an BAREFOOT SOUND technician aempts to service
the product. BAREFOOT SOUND will not warrant any problems arising from an act of God (lighng, ooding, tornado, etc.),
electrical spikes or surges, or problems arising out of hardware, soware, or addional devices added to complement any
product manufactured by BAREFOOT SOUND. Under no circumstances will BAREFOOT SOUND be responsible for any
refund or remuneraon exceeding the original purchase price of the product less any shipping fees. BAREFOOT SOUND
will not be held responsible for typographical errors on sales receipts, repair ckets, or on our website. BAREFOOT SOUND
makes every eort to make sure all informaon on our website is correct.
17
Barefoot Sound LLC
http://barefootsound.com
2016
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